According to the Environmental Protection Agency, natural gas produces about half the CO2 emissions as coal. Inexpensive natural gas is the chief reason why energy-related CO2 emissions have been plummeting in the United States.

Making it easier for other coal-using countries to shift to natural gas would have a very positive impact on the environment.

As for the economy, a recent report from ICF International found that LNG exports could generate 9,500 jobs in Maryland alone by 2035 and increase state wages.

Merrill Matthews, Lewisville, Texas

The writer is a research scholar with the Institute for Policy Innovation.